The Havok Journal

The Voice of the Veteran Community

West and Dunn Law

Unto The Inferno “For Them All”

Unto The Inferno “For Them All” by Andy Huynh This was originally published on Spotter Up and shared on The Havok Journal with permission from the owner.   He continued to gawk into the open and I turned my head to follow his line of sight… but he was staring at nothing. His eyes were clouded and seemed almost lifeless. There was no joy, no laughter, no energy – … [Read more...]

Lessons Dad Taught Me

Lessons Dad Taught Me by Michael Bama Katt ______________________________________________________________________ 1. Stand up to shake a man’s hand. 2. You ain't much of a man if you can't handle being around people who don't see the world through your lens. 3. And you ain't much of a man if you can't have your opinion challenged. 4. Never make … [Read more...]

War Cuts Deep

War Cuts Deep by Will Aker War cuts with an invisible blade. A blade you’re blind to, blind to how it cuts you. War slices everyone differently and the wounds heal at their own time. This type of cut goes goes so deep it makes you numb, you have to open it back up to feel again. Then you realize you might not want to feel at all. War cuts are dangerous you see. War cuts you … [Read more...]

How To Talk To Your Kids About September 11th

How To Talk To Your Kids About September 11th by Justina Bahrain September 11th is a date none of us will forget but that many of our children know little about. That day and its aftermath are important parts of our history that we want to share with our children but may hesitate to do since it is a scary thought for adults let alone the delicate minds of our children. Here … [Read more...]

A Warrior’s Tirade: The Price of Identity Politics

A Warrior's Tirade: The Price of Identity Politics by Michael Bama Katt Shouldn't come as much of a surprise how far ranging my natural habitat is. My first 35 years were military/conservative, and I've since picked up some very dear friends from over there on the port side of plumb. I'm grateful for most all y'all. If you break my friends down to their fundamental … [Read more...]

Be Kinder To Yourself

Be Kinder To Yourself by Moriamo Sulaiman-Ifelodun “Be kinder to yourself. And then let your kindness flood the world” – Pema Chodron Now that you hopefully have a better idea of what actual self-care is (if you don’t, peep my last blog post here), and it has invoked some thoughts as to if you need to readjust some things, read on to find out some self-care tips and … [Read more...]

Not All Heroes Wear Capes, but Some Do

Not All Heroes Wear Capes, but Some Do by Kate Nelson There are a lot of reasons people choose to join the military. They range from patriotism, following in a parent’s footsteps, opportunities and training, wanting to blow stuff up, or just wanting something different. But one common thread found among our ranks is the innate call for service. This is the drive to serve … [Read more...]

Hop in Your Murder Turtle and Live the Way of the Derp Gun

Hop in Your Murder Turtle and Live the Way of the Derp Gun by Kevin Wilson I’m not normally one to reminisce about how awesome the olden days were. I didn’t have a bad childhood, not by any reasonable standard, but I just don’t miss most of it. I don’t miss, for instance, the days where getting beaten up for being a nerd was a fact of life. I mean, after a solid decade … [Read more...]

Lessons from a Grieving Mother Whale

Lessons from a Grieving Mother Whale by Jenny Albers Losing a child is a club you never want to join. Whether you lose a child in war, in womb or late in life, the loss of a child is a parent's worst nightmare and impossible to grasp without experiencing it first hand. Grief is a natural response when a loved one dies. The grief never goes away and you are forced to live … [Read more...]